
Born on March 27, 1949, in Hays, Kansas, Jonet came from a large German-Catholic family scattered across western Kansas. Her parents, Eugene and Leona Kinderknecht, moved to Salina, Kansas and raised eight children. Jonet was a hard worker and caretaker from the beginning, helping raise her five younger siblings and, eventually, forgoing college so she could work to help her family pay medical bills for her beloved sister, Karla.
Jonet graduated from Sacred Heart High School and worked in various jobs between Salina and Oklahoma City before meeting her husband, Steve, while working as a secretary at S&W Tool in Salina. They moved to rural McPherson County and welcomed a son, Shad, and a daughter, Shala. While she was constantly annoyed by dirt roads getting her car muddy, Jonet enjoyed country life as a homemaker and mother. She liked yard work, growing beautiful plants, and ensuring the lawn was always freshly mowed. Hibiscus and geraniums were her favorite. She was an excellent cook and baker, a skill she proudly passed on to her children, particularly her delicious Thanksgiving pies, something her daughter continues to perfect. She made lemon cheesecake for Shad and rice pudding for Shala. She loved music, old cars, riding motorcycles, Tom Selleck, Mexican food, crime-drama TV, jewelry, bird watching, kitchen gadgets, and cinnamon rolls with coffee.
Jonet had an artistic side. In her younger years, she was a talented painter, experimented with pottery and stained glass, and later enjoyed needlepoint, creating many beautiful items, some of which she submitted to the Kansas State Fair. She loved to craft and attend craft shows. She created many unique items and used them to beautifully decorate for every holiday, especially Christmas.
She will forever be remembered for her long beautiful hair, pristine look, and red painted fingernails. And her tenacious spirit - never backing down from anyone, right, wrong, or indifferent. But mostly, she will be remembered for her caring nature.
Jonet had a lifelong affection for animals—especially dogs. Her family often joked, with a smile, that she liked dogs more than most people. She never met a dog she didn’t love and had a particular affinity for poodles.
Jonet’s biggest love and accomplishment was, by far, her children. When they were young, she aptly noted they were always “attached at her hip.” There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her kids. She never missed an opportunity to support her children whether that was a sporting event, school activity, or a visit to Manhattan, she put her heart and soul into her children. She was, unarguably, the best mom.
She spent the last four years in Olathe with her children and grandson fiercely fighting numerous health issues and developing a new-found love for k-pop music, to the dismay of her children. She was grateful for the extra time with her kids and grandson, Braden, with whom she was incredibly impressed by and proud of.
Jonet was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Karla Kinderknecht, and her sister Josella Gorrell. She is survived by her husband, Steven Bloomberg; her daughter, Shala Bloomberg; her son, Shad Bloomberg; and grandson Braden Bloomberg.
A private family service will be held to celebrate her life at a later date. In honor of Jonet’s memory, and her love for animals, the family suggests donations be made to Olathe Hospice House, KC Pet Project, or Salina Animal Services.
DONATIONS
Olathe Hospice House15310 S. Marion St. , Olathe, KS 66061
KC Pet Project7077 Elmwood Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64132
Salina Animal Services329 N. 2nd St. , Salina, Kansas 67401
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